Avoid These Five Gardening Mistakes
2022-05-31
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1Much of gardening is learned by trial and error - that means, from mistakes.
2We have all been in that situation.
3The good news is we can learn from other people's mistakes and our own.
4Associated Press garden writer Jessica Damiano has this advice: "First, we need to admit we're not perfect."
5Many years ago, Damiano planted some morning glory seeds near the front gate of her garden.
6The seeds are often called a "fast-grower" and "self-sower."
7She was sure the vine would immediately bloom with leaves and flowers.
8But, the morning glory did its job too well.
9She now spends about a half hour every week during summer pulling up seedlings that grow as far as 15 meters away.
10Damiano said that was not her only trial and error in gardening.
11One summer, she planted some mint in a garden bed instead of a container.
12But the mint jumped the garden bed and spread everywhere.
13By the third year, Damiano had to dig up the whole bed to remove it.
14She learned not to plant invasive plants.
15Here is a list of Damiano's five common gardening mistakes with advice on how to avoid them.
16Having the right pH level, a measure of acidity, for the soil is important for gardening success.
17Tomatoes, for example, grow best in soil with a pH between 6.0-6.8.
18Blueberry plants, however, will likely turn yellow and produce little if the pH is higher than 5.5.
19That is because nutrients are available to plants only at target pH levels, which are different for each kind of plant.
20Test kits for pH are not costly and you should test the soil in each garden bed individually.
21The pH level is often not the same in different parts of the garden.
22A reading of 7.0 is considered neutral.
23A lower number means the soil is acidic and a higher number means it is a base.
24It is best to select plants that do well in your garden conditions.
25Most garden plants require 2.5 to nearly four centimeters of water weekly.
26The water could come from rainfall or from your home.
27Mold, mildew and bacterial diseases, however, could spread if too much water becomes trapped between plant parts.
28Too much water can spread these problems from infected leaves to healthy ones.
29Make sure to direct water to roots, where it is needed.
30Avoid watering leaves, fruit and flowers.
31Compost, made of food or plant waste, is a gardener's best friend.
32It improves the drainage of heavy clay soil, increases the water-holding ability of sand and adds high-quality nutrients.
33Add compost into new beds and borders, or add an amount equal to half the removed soil to individual planting holes.
34A plant that needs "full sun" will likely disappoint if planted in an area without sunshine.
35The same is true the other way around.
36And do not put "drought-tolerant" plants, or plants that can survive long periods without water, in "poorly-draining, soggy soil."
37Choose the plants that are right for your growing conditions.
38The result will be a better-looking, healthier garden that requires less care and less work.
39Mulch is material made out of old leaves, wood or compost.
40It can keep water and heat in the soil.
41It also suppresses unwanted plants, or weeds.
42So, it is an important part of every garden.
43Mulching incorrectly, however, can kill your plants.
44Always use mulch from natural materials such as tree bark, wood chips, straw or pine needles.
45They enrich the soil as they break down.
46Add five to seven centimeters of mulch around plants several times a year.
47Keep the material about seven centimeters away from trunks and stems to avoid blocking air and preventing water from escaping, which would result in rot.
48I'm Dan Friedell.
1Much of gardening is learned by trial and error - that means, from mistakes. We have all been in that situation. 2The good news is we can learn from other people's mistakes and our own. 3Associated Press garden writer Jessica Damiano has this advice: "First, we need to admit we're not perfect." 4Many years ago, Damiano planted some morning glory seeds near the front gate of her garden. The seeds are often called a "fast-grower" and "self-sower." She was sure the vine would immediately bloom with leaves and flowers. 5But, the morning glory did its job too well. She now spends about a half hour every week during summer pulling up seedlings that grow as far as 15 meters away. 6Damiano said that was not her only trial and error in gardening. One summer, she planted some mint in a garden bed instead of a container. But the mint jumped the garden bed and spread everywhere. By the third year, Damiano had to dig up the whole bed to remove it. She learned not to plant invasive plants. 7Here is a list of Damiano's five common gardening mistakes with advice on how to avoid them. 8Not testing soil 9Having the right pH level, a measure of acidity, for the soil is important for gardening success. Tomatoes, for example, grow best in soil with a pH between 6.0-6.8. Blueberry plants, however, will likely turn yellow and produce little if the pH is higher than 5.5. 10That is because nutrients are available to plants only at target pH levels, which are different for each kind of plant. 11Test kits for pH are not costly and you should test the soil in each garden bed individually. The pH level is often not the same in different parts of the garden. A reading of 7.0 is considered neutral. A lower number means the soil is acidic and a higher number means it is a base. 12It is best to select plants that do well in your garden conditions. 13Watering correctly 14Most garden plants require 2.5 to nearly four centimeters of water weekly. The water could come from rainfall or from your home. 15Mold, mildew and bacterial diseases, however, could spread if too much water becomes trapped between plant parts. Too much water can spread these problems from infected leaves to healthy ones. 16Make sure to direct water to roots, where it is needed. Avoid watering leaves, fruit and flowers. 17Skipping compost 18Compost, made of food or plant waste, is a gardener's best friend. It improves the drainage of heavy clay soil, increases the water-holding ability of sand and adds high-quality nutrients. 19Add compost into new beds and borders, or add an amount equal to half the removed soil to individual planting holes. 20Wrong plant, wrong place 21A plant that needs "full sun" will likely disappoint if planted in an area without sunshine. The same is true the other way around. And do not put "drought-tolerant" plants, or plants that can survive long periods without water, in "poorly-draining, soggy soil." 22Choose the plants that are right for your growing conditions. The result will be a better-looking, healthier garden that requires less care and less work. 23Improper mulching 24Mulch is material made out of old leaves, wood or compost. It can keep water and heat in the soil. It also suppresses unwanted plants, or weeds. So, it is an important part of every garden. 25Mulching incorrectly, however, can kill your plants. 26Always use mulch from natural materials such as tree bark, wood chips, straw or pine needles. They enrich the soil as they break down. 27Add five to seven centimeters of mulch around plants several times a year. Keep the material about seven centimeters away from trunks and stems to avoid blocking air and preventing water from escaping, which would result in rot. 28I'm Dan Friedell. 29Jessica Damiano reported this story for the Associated Press. Hai Do adapted it for VOA Learning English. 30____________________________________________________________________ 31Words in This Story 32drainage -n. the act or process of removing or pulling water out of or away from soil or some other material 33soggy -adj. heavy and soft with water 34rot -n. the slow break down of wood or similar materials because of water 35We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.